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First Nations Artist Gives New Life to Butternut Tree Donation from the JDI Woodlands Team

Justin Sappier, a talented Peskotomuhkati and Wolastoqey traditional carver in Fredericton area, has brought new life to a butternut tree donated by the team at JDI Woodlands.

Nearly two years ago Sappier decided to go back to school with the thought of becoming a basket maker, wanting to teach his children a craft. He only had to try traditional carving masks to realize that was his true artistic calling. Sappier now teaches a Traditional Mask Carving course at the New Brunswick college of Craft and Design and was looking for wood to use in his class as well as for his own work. When Woodlands Chief Naturalist, Kelly Honeyman heard about the ask, he was quick to offer the artist a look at the tree.

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The end of our Traditional Mask Carving course that we co-taught using the butternut. Students are holding the masks they made, while the table holds some teachers' work as teaching aids. 

 

"Some people don't know that Butternut is in trouble and we've been having a hard time getting a hold of it. [JDI] gave us a call, and asked us if we wanted to see this piece of wood," Justin Sappier said about getting new materials for his class. " The shape we're getting into right now is perfect for carving , and give it a second life."

Follow these artists on Social media:

 Justin Sappier's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/justinsappier/

Tim 'Bjorn' Jones' Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/bjornswoodcarving/

 

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